Dubai: The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, one of the Arab World’s most beloved literary events, will be commemorating its 10th anniversary with the publication of a limited-edition book. Organisers today announced that For the Love of Words, published by Dubai-based Motivate Publishing, will be launched at the opening ceremony of the upcoming Festival, to be held from 1-10 March, 2018.
At the pre-Festival press conference, Isobel Abulhoul, OBE, CEO and Trustee of the Emirates Literature Foundation and Director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature said, ‘The Festival has grown from strength to strength with each passing year and everyone involved – authors, visitors, sponsors, students, team members and volunteers – have taken away the most delightful memories. To capture the spirit of our journey over that time what better way than with a book that any book lover would treasure?’
For the Love of Words features eighty-four inspirational voices - authors, speakers, illustrators and poets - that have been a part of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature over the years. The anthology is a collection of articles, poems, short stories and illustrations that celebrates the love of words.
For the Love of Words will be available at the Festival venue, InterContinental, Dubai Festival City and in bookstores across the UAE.
Record Numbers for Education Programme
An integral part of the Festival every year is the Education outreach programme to schools and universities across the UAE. This year has been a triumphant success for the programme with a 15% increase in the number of entries received for the children’s competitions - Taaleem Award for poetry writing, the Oxford University Press Story Writing Competition, Chevron Readers’ Cup and Emirates NBD Poetry for All Competition for poetry performance. With more than 25,000 students taking part in the Festival last year, an even greater number is expected in 2018 to have the opportunity to meet and hear an inspirational author either at the Festival or at their schools and universities.
New to the Festival this year is the International Students Programme, in association with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), which aims to provide an exciting, diverse and inspiring three-day programme for university students from the Arab World. The programme plays a key role in the Festival’s objective to implement a cross-cultural exchange of ideas and spread knowledge through entertaining and informative sessions. The Programme is open to all graduate and undergraduate students in the Arab World studying at universities outside the UAE.
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Centre, said: ‘Emirates is proud to support the 10th edition of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature. The diversity of authors at the festival this year reflects the extensive global network that Emirates serves. Through this event we are connecting the people of Dubai with writers from all over the globe, whose work cuts across all ages, cultures, genres and topics. We’re proud to support this event and help an even larger audience get in touch with literary works and ideas. This is important for Dubai’s cultural landscape, and we look forward to supporting the Festival’s future development.’
Author Debuts at the Festival
Some new additions to the Festival’s anniversary edition line-up include several first-time guests to the Festival, such as Gennaro Pellicia, Costa Coffee’s ‘master of coffee’ whose tongue is insured for £10 million; he is responsible for tasting all the coffee that comes to Costa’s roastery in London. Coffee connoisseurs can look forward to Gennaro joining the ‘But First, Coffee’ panel about the history of coffee and its importance in the world.
The Festival will also be welcoming first-time speakers Carlos Ruiz Zafón, Spanish author of The Shadow of the Wind, writer Jane Hawking, whose autobiography Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen chronicled her life with renowned physicist, Stephen Hawking, and was adapted to Academy Award-nominated film, The Theory of Everything, make their Festival debuts alongside Baroness Floella Benjamin, actor, TV broadcaster and children’s author, award-winning Iraqi author of The President’s Gardens Muhsin Al-Ramli, famed Syrian writers Khaled Khalifa and Maha Hassan, Princess Diana’s biographer, Andrew Morton, recently commissioned to write the story Meghan Markle, fiancée of Prince Harry, socio-political activist and author Arun Gandhi, talking about his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus and Rhianna Pratchett, best known as the video game writer for the Tomb Raider reboot.
New at the Festival
This year’s landmark event features some of the biggest names in the world of poetry, taking the stage for a truly unique performance. For the Love of Words, presented by the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Dubai Opera, the Ministry of Tolerance and the British Council, with the support of the UK GREAT campaign, aims to explore the possibilities presented by cultural exchange between the two countries.
As part of the UK/UAE 2017 Year of Creative Collaboration closing celebrations, this exceptional evening is a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the best UK and UAE contemporary poets including Khalid AlBudoor, Nujoom Nasser AlGhanem, spoken word artist Afra Atiq, UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage, John Agard, Imtiaz Dharker, Hussain Lootah, Roger McGough, Grace Nichols, Lemn Sissay and World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker.
On 7 March, the Festival will be holding a Publishing Day, which includes a programme of sessions, masterclasses and workshops given by industry experts from around the globe on key aspects of publishing, challenges of publishing children’s books and the evolution of the Arab World publishing industry.
Pop culture enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to with sessions by Nnedi Okorafor, a rising star in the world of fantasy and science-fiction, writer of Black Panther: Long Live The King and part of the team bringing the legend of African-Arab historical character Antar the Black Knight to comics soon. Other comic book sessions include talks by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King and horror and comic book writer of the Eisner Award-winning comic series Locke & Key, Dubai-based comic writers of Wayl, Zaid Adham and Yasser Alireza and workshops and masterclasses for all ages. Additionally, live video stream discussions by The Martian author Andy Weir on his bestselling book and the blockbuster film adaptation, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon, and children’s author Eoin Colfer on his Artemis Fowl series and young adult novel on Iron Man will take place at the Festival for the first time.
Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, commented: “Dubai Culture’s vision is to establish Dubai as a global, creative and sustainable city for culture, heritage, arts and literature. The 10th anniversary of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature also celebrates His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai’s vision in strengthening the UAE’s cultural presence, particularly in regards to the literature sector. Year on year, the Festival attracts leading authors from across the world, transforming Dubai into a global meeting point for top international literary talents while also inviting the public to immerse themselves in the joy of reading and opening their eyes to the cultures of the world in a spirit of tolerance, diversity and creativity.”
Al Nabouda added: “This fulfils our mandate to consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading destination for regional and global cultural exchange, and also supports the UAE’s National Strategy for Reading 2016-2026, which aims to spread a strong culture of reading across all segments of the society. By involving the entire community and giving people an opportunity to experience the magical world of the written word, the Festival also moves us closer toward achieving the Dubai Plan 2021 vision of a city of happy, creative and empowered people who proudly celebrate their cultural identities.”
Returning Favourites
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Festival, organisers have invited a host of names from past Festivals to return to Dubai’s shores, including British TV comedian and bestselling children’s author David Walliams, author of several bestselling series including The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith, Indian politician and diplomat Shashi Tharoor, author of the Alex Rider series Anthony Horowitz, Letters to a Young Muslim author His Excellency Omar Saif Ghobash, British children’s author extraordinaire Jacqueline Wilson, eminent Palestinian author Ibrahim Nasrallah, media personalities Kate Adie and Jenni Murray and culinary legends Madhur Jaffrey and Ken Hom.
Established in 2009, the Festival, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and in partnership with Emirates Airline and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirates’ dedicated entity for culture, arts and heritage, has grown into the UAE’s premier literary festival. The 10th Emirates Airline Festival of Literature will be held from 1-10 March 2018.
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai is the sponsor authorized to provide entry permits for international writers and facilitating their entry procedures through Dubai Airport.
Tickets can be purchased at the Festival website (tickets.emirateslitfest.com) or via the ELF Dubai app, available on the iOS and Google Play app stores and at Magrudy’s outlets around the UAE. Become a Foundation Friend loyalty member and enjoy benefits throughout the year, including priority booking and discounts on select Festival tickets, as well as exclusive discounts at several retail outlets in the UAE.
More information about the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature can be found online. Fans can keep up to date with #DubaiLitFest action on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and year-round news of #ELFDubai on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
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For more information, please contact:
Yara Badri, Head of Marketing & Communications
Tel: +971 (04) 355 9844
yara.badri@emirateslitfest.com
Monita Mohan, PR Content Co-ordinator
Tel: +971 (04) 355 9844
monita.mohan@emirateslitfest.com
About the Emirates Literature Foundation:
The Emirates Literature Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation which supports and nurtures a love of literature in the United Arab Emirates and the region, through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.
Established in 2013 by Royal Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Foundation aims to foster a love for literature, with a focus on the Arabic language.
In line with the National Reading Policy of the UAE, the Foundation has implemented several long-term projects including the School Librarian of the Year Award and the annual Arabic Language Week, as well as conducting year-round student education programmes, book clubs and creative writing courses. The Foundation’s previous initiatives included the 2016 Dubai Translation Conference and the 2017 Dubai International Publishing Conference, which hosted a number of international participants.
The Foundation is also the governing body of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the UAE’s premier literary festival, which will be held from 1-10 March, 2018.
Emirates Literature Foundation
Dar Al Adaab
Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhood
PO Box 24506
Dubai, UAE
About the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature:
The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature is the Arab World’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, featuring international and regional writers, poets, thinkers and speakers from around the world. In 2017, 44,000 visitors enjoyed the Festival’s main programme of events starring Jeffrey Archer, Bothayna Wail Al Essa, Ibrahim Farghali, His Excellency Omar Saif Ghobash and Jo Malone, among many others.
The aim of the Festival is to develop a culture of reading as an enjoyable habit in the UAE, and its efforts have been recognised through many awards over the years. By providing an equal platform for international and locally-based talents, the Festival continues to build the literary landscape in the UAE and further afield.
Alongside the main programme, the Festival organises an Education programme, which positively impacted on 25,000 students across the UAE in 2017. The programme includes education days, student sessions and author school visits where young people meet and interact with their favourite authors, plus student competitions, held in Arabic and English, which allow young people to showcase their skills through poetry, short stories and reading.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Festival is a key part of the Emirates Literature Foundation, which was established in 2013 by Royal Decree. In partnership with Emirates Airline and the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated authority for heritage, arts, and culture, the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature celebrates its 10th anniversary from 1-10 March 2018.
For information and updates about the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature visit the website: www.emirateslitfest.com
About Emirates:
Emirates, a global connector of people and places, has received hundreds of international awards and accolades for excellence. Emirates flies to 156 destinations in 84 countries. Operating 269 wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including the industry leading aircraft A380, Emirates has pending deliveries for an additional 263 aircraft, worth more than USD$103 billion. For more information please visit www.emirates.com
The airline’s vast portfolio of international sports and cultural sponsorships brings people together to discover, enjoy, and share enriching experiences. Along with the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the airline is proud to sponsor the Sydney and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras as well as the San Francisco Symphony and world-class events such as Dubai International Film Festival and Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival.
About Dubai Culture & Arts Authority:
The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) was launched on March 8, 2008 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in order to drive the growth of the city’s artistic and cultural landscape. The Authority has grown to play a major role in the realization of the Dubai Plan 2021, to highlight Dubai as a thriving capital for creative industries and further embed the Emirate’s credentials as a city of happy, creative and empowered people.
As part of its mandate, Dubai Culture has several initiatives that are focused on strengthening both the historic and modern cultural fabric of Dubai, including Dubai Art Season - the city’s premier umbrella arts initiative which kicks off with Emirates Airline Festival of Literature and encompasses Art Week including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai, and SIKKA Art Fair- an annual event aimed at promoting Emirati and local artists in the UAE and the wider GCC region, Dubai Festival for Youth Theatre - an annual festival that fosters the art of theatre in the UAE and that is celebrating its 10thanniversary in 2016, and Dubai Next - a dynamic platform that aims to showcase the Emirate’s cultural ethos and its vibrant creative scene on the global stage.
The Authority’s other key initiatives include Creatopia (www.creatopia.ae) - the nation’s first government empowered virtual community that guides and nurtures the creative culture of the nation and provides a platform of information and opportunities that lead to exposure and personal growth.
Dubai Culture also plays a leading role in support of the UAE National Strategy for Reading 2026, in particular by undertaking a major refurbishment of all Dubai Public Libraries branches to transform them into state-of-art cultural and artistic hubs. Across all of its branches, Dubai Public Library also provides children and young adults with a range of educational and entertaining activities that encourage the use of its facilities. The ‘Our Summer is Filled with Culture & Arts Programme’ is a Dubai Public Library initiative which complements the UAE National Reading Strategy, with its activities open to all age groups, and which revolve around four key themes: happiness, reading, family and the future.
The Authority also manages more than 16 heritage sites across the Emirate, and is a key government stakeholder in the development of the Dubai Historical District. As the custodian Authority of Dubai’s museum sector, Dubai Culture officially launched Etihad Museum in December 2016. The museum provides platform to encourage cultural exchange and to connect Emirati youth with their culture and history. As part of the Authority mandate to support Dubai’s vision of becoming the focal point of diverse cultural exchange (regionally & globally), the museums will play a catalyst role in preserving Emirati Heritage.
For more information on Dubai Culture, visit www.dubaiculture.gov.ae
© Press Release 2018
